CHIROPRACTIC CARE

Chiropractic is a regulated health profession recognized by statute in all Canadian provinces and American states. The benefits of chiropractic care are well recognized by other health practitioners. In a 1995 survey, 44 per cent of Ontario and Alberta physicians indicated that they refer patients for chiropractic treatment.

Chiropractic today is one of the largest primary-contact health care professions in Canada with over 5,000 practicing chiropractors. Approximately four and a half million Canadians use the services of a chiropractor each year.The vast majority of patients who seek chiropractic care do so for complaints of the neuromusculoskeletal system, most often for conditions affecting the spine.

In many cases, such as lower back pain, chiropractic care may be the primary method of treatment. Where other medical conditions exist, chiropractic care may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the musculoskeletal aspects of discomfort associated with the condition.

Chiropractic care may also be palliative, providing symptomatic relief to patients with chronic conditions. By treating the musculoskeletal elements of such disorders, chiropractic treatment improves the general well-being of the patient. In this regard, Canada's chiropractors frequently provide complementary care as one element of a patient's overall treatment program.

In Ontario, chiropractic has been governed by statute since 1925. Currently it is regulated by the Chiropractic Act (1991) which is administered by the College of Chiropractors of Ontario created in accordance with the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA)(1991).

Manipulation/Adjustment
Chiropractic manipulation is a drug-free, non-invasive manual procedure which utilizes the highly-refined skills developed during four intensive years of chiropractic education. Chiropractors assess disorders related to the spine, nervous system, and joints of the extremities and provide diagnosis, treatment and prevention of those disorders.
The primary goal of chiropractic manipulation, also referred to as adjustment, is to treat areas of decreased movement in the joints of the spine which can create a reaction in surrounding tissues (ligaments, muscles and nerves) resulting in pain, dysfunction and muscular spasm.
Manipulation is a highly controlled procedure which rarely causes discomfort. The chiropractor adapts the procedure to meet the specific needs of each patient. Patients often note positive changes in their symptoms immediately following treatment.

Active Release Technique® (ART®)
ART® is a patented, state-of-the-art soft tissue system that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. ART® has been developed, refined, and patented by P. Michael Leahy, DC. Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART®.

These conditions all have one important thing in common: they often result from injury to over-used muscles. These injuries can cause your body to produce tough, dense scar tissue in the affected area. This scar tissue binds up and ties down tissues that need to move freely. This can cause reduced range of motion, loss of strength, and pain. If a nerve is trapped you may also feel tingling, numbness, and weakness. ART® works by releasing the level of tightness or scar tissue formation that has formed as a result of injury, overuse or even postural imbalances. The tissues are worked to fix injuries within muscles, tendons, ligaments, and between nerves to allow for improved tissue texture, tension, movement & function.

Contemporary Medical Acupuncture
Contemporary Medical Acupuncture is an effective and simple treatment approach based on current concepts of neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, and pathophysiology. Insertion of sterile needles and use of electrical stimulation are the foundation of this approach.

Acupuncture effects on humans include muscle relaxation, pain modulation, changes in autonomic activity (vasomotor tone, cardiac rhythm, peristalsis), diverse neuroendocrine and immune responses, general relaxation, and a feeling of psychophysical well being.

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